Bird pledges support of law enforcement | News, Sports, Jobs

Guthrie County Attorney Brenna Bird believes Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller is “sitting on the sidelines.”

That’s why she wants to replace him.

Bird, who is unopposed for the Republican nomination for attorney general, told The Messenger Wednesday that she thinks Miller, a Democrat, has been silent when it comes to supporting law enforcement officers and challenging the federal government.

“I think now is a tough time to be in law enforcement,” she said. “As a prosecutor, I see that daily.”

“I believe that law enforcement are heroes,” she added. “That’s how I was brought up.”

She said if she is elected attorney general, she will be a voice for law enforcement officers. She especially wants to work on recruiting new people to the ranks of law enforcement.

Standing up to the federal government would be her other big priority if she is elected, she said.

“I would go to court for Iowans and enforce the Constitution on the federal government,” she said.

She said she would target federal vaccine mandates, the Waters of the United States rule, and immigration rules.

Although Bird accuses Miller of not standing up to the federal government, he filed or joined multiple lawsuits against the administration of President Donald Trump. He did not stop doing so until Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds began moving to curtail his ability to file such lawsuits.

“Tom Miller was on the wrong side,” Bird said.

Bird described herself as “100 percent pro-life.”

“I believe that women deserve better than abortion,” she said.

She declined to say what actions she might take if she is elected attorney general and the U.S. Supreme Court sets aside the Roe v. Wade decision as expected. She said the Iowa State Supreme Court has recognized the right to abortion, but that finding is being challenged by a case now being considered by the high court.

“We don’t know what that opinion will say yet,” she added.

“I’m 100 percent pro-life, but as far as what the law will be, that’s 100 percent up to the legislature,” Bird said.

According to the candidate, there are two disturbing crime trends in Iowa. One is a rise in crime tied to drugs; the other is the increasing number of juveniles committing more serious crimes at younger ages.

Various frauds and scams, often targeting the elderly, remain a problem, she said. But bringing the perpetrators of these scams to justice is usually impossible because they are in other countries, she said. Learning some characteristics of scams and speaking up when something seems suspicious are the best ways to defend against those crimes, she added..

About Brenna Bird

The candidate grew up on a farm in Dallas County. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from Drake University in Des Moines and a law degree from the University of Chicago.

Currently the Guthrie County attorney, she has also served as Fremont County attorney and interim Audubon County attorney.

She was legal counsel for the administration of former Gov. Terry Branstad.

She and her husband Bob, have one son.